Alternate apps to sync my Fitbit?

[cwilly8]

Let's be frank -- some people have privacy concerns with Google now owning Fitbit.  Are there alternate apps beside the official Fitbit app that will receive info from Fitbit devices via Bluetooth for tracking, reporting, etc.?  Thanks.

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[RicardoFitbit]

Hi @cwilly8, welcome to the Community Forums.

We believe in being transparent about our data practices and work hard to keep your data safe, therefore, you can always review our Privacy Policy here. There you’ll learn about the data we collect, how we use it, the controls we give you over your information, and the measures we take to keep it safe. To learn about policy updates, please check this help article and also: Fitbit Joins Google for more details about our recent changes. To answer your question, the only way you can sync Fitbit devices is through the official Fitbit app or using Fitbit.com website.

Let me know if you have any additional questions.

[cwilly8]

Thanks for the reply.  You may trust Google with data collection related to your personal health and fitness, but I don't.  Making a statement on the internet does not make Google any less intrusive.  I will probably continue to use my Fitbit Charge 2 without the app (already deleted from my phone and tablet) and without connecting to the website.

[RicardoFitbit]

You're welcome @cwilly8, your reply is also appreciated.

I respect your personal decision if you don't want to use the Fitbit app anymore. Keep in mind that we recommend our users to sync their Fitbit devices almost daily. Most Fitbits record detailed minute-by-minute data for 7 days and they can store daily totals for up to 30 days. Since Fitbit devices use the mobile device information to display the correct time with the syncing process, please expect that your Charge 2 will loose time since you're not going to sync it. 

I'll be here if you need anything else, it was a pleasure to assist you.

[MattCook744]

Did you ever determine an alternate app to link to your Fitbit device?  I can't get the Fitbit app to work any longer but I don't want to buy another device.  Plus I have the same concern regarding Google and privacy.  Please let me know.  Thanks.  

[cwilly8]

No, I never found another app.  Like the Fitbit rep noted, my Charge 2 does lose time (very slowly).  Occasionally (every couple of months) I sync using my PC.  When my Charge 2 quits working, I'll pull the old analog watch out of the dresser drawer and use it.

[BraulioFitbit]

Nice to see you here, @MattCook744 and @cwilly8.

@MattCook744 If your Fitbit device is not syncing with the Fitbit app, you can try the troubleshooting steps listed on this help article: Why won't my Fitbit device sync? since, as @RicardoFitbit mentioned above, the only way to sync our devices is through the Fitbit app. I understand your concern about your privacy and data, so you can also take a look to the articles shared above regarding our privacy policy.

See you around.

[MattCook744]

BraulioFitbit, thanks for the message.  However, I cannot get the Fitbit app to work at all.  It stopped working last Friday.  I click the app button and it will show up for about one second and close.  I can't even get it to stay open to even try and troubleshoot.  I have uninstalled it and reinstalled it probably ten times trying to get it back to working.  I have gone through and deleted the cache thinking that might be the issue.  My Sense is still working fine and tracking all of my information but I can't view my sleep or anything else on the app.  Thoughts? 

[BraulioFitbit]

Hi, @MattCook744.

Thanks for the update and for the troubleshooting performed. Did you also try to force close the app? Is your phone updated to the latest Android version? Is this happening with the Fitbit app only? If you also tried to clear the data (not just the cache) and it's still doing the same, please let me know your phone's model and Android version.

Catch you later.

[MattCook744]

Hi, yes I did to force close the app.  My phone (Motorola Power 7) is updated to the latest Android version (Android Version: 10, Current version: QCOS30.85-18-9, Security patch level: 2/1/21).  However, my phone did act up last Friday and several apps stopped working.  I was able to uninstall them and reinstall them and they started to work again after only one attempt for those three apps (Candy Crush Saga, Southwest Airlines and Amazon Shopping).  So I do believe there is a component of my phone that is not working correctly.  But after restarting over and over, powering down my phone, uninstalling and reinstalling the Fitbit app I figured it would start to work at some point.  Thoughts?  

[BraulioFitbit]

Hello, @MattCook744.

Is the Fitbit app installed on your phone's internal storage or is it installed on an SD Card? It's weird that this is affecting the Fitbit app only since for the moment we don't have a report of a similar issue with other users.

See you around.

[MattCook744]

I haven't tried that because I did move the app over to my external SD card about 2 months ago.  I did download the app for my laptop and I am now connected.  So, it continues to be purely an app issue on my phone.  

[BraulioFitbit]

Hi, @MattCook744.

I suggest you to try installing the Fitbit app on your phone's internal storage and see if this solves the trouble.

Hope this works.